Land-shaping & Food Gardens
Food Security
1.1 Peak Oil & Climate Change
No matter where you sit on the climate change and peak oil issues - one thing is pretty straight-forward. Globally there are more of us, trying to squeeze more food out of less land and sea, while simultaneously reducing it's quality - and using wasteful production, transport and packaging methods to turn a whollllle-lotta oil into a tiny bit of "dead food" (Kettle Chip story). Intelligent bunch, aren't we?
There are some very scary articles around about food security, if you choose to go there. BUT, more importantly, there are also some fantastic examples of how relocalizing food production is having a major impact on the resiliance and well-being of communities. Below is a short clip of the Cuban story - the longer documentary "Power of Community" is really worth seeing if you haven't already - you can't help but be inspired!
So you are thinking about 'turning your lawn into lunch' (as one local foodie says) and getting some food happening in your garden? The Links & Resources list (bottom-right) has some good local resources for getting started on the food growing journey, and there's a wealth of passionate and knowledgeable food-gardeners on the Coast, who you can turn to for help.
The Qld Garden Expo (above right) in July is fantastic. Don't think it's all about hippeastrums and herbicides - there's a HUGE permaculture and self-sufficiency section called the Giant Kitchen Garden - 3 days of talks, demonstrations, inspiring people and lots more. Click image for more.
1.2 Pantry Makeover
Hand in hand with thinking about growing some of your own food, is to look at what you realistically can't grow (or get through trading etc) and make sure you are sourcing it as ethically and locally as possible.
Bit by bit, I've embarked on my own 100 Mile Trial over the years, looking for better solutions for the food I can't eventually produce myself, and consumable items (cleaning products etc). I've put my scattered thoughts into a checklist format which might also be useful for anyone starting out, as it breaks down 'the job' of greening up your food supply, into do-able chunks.
(See right: There's a blank template to print, and a sample of how I went about it)
Food To Share
As already mentioned in 'energy', we are moving towards (I believe) a new era of self-reliance and responsibility for providing our own basics of life - food, water, energy etc.
But with this, especially in the case of food, comes the responsibility of sharing and looking out for others who might fall through the cracks - the elderly, the frail etc. This is something that garden groups and permaculture people have been doing for years anyway but it wasn't until I did my PDC (permaculture design certificate) last year, that I realised how strong the community aspect of it is. Find local food-growing resources for our Coast community in the Links and Resources list (below right).
See a Permablitz in action below and find out more about local ones here.
As already mentioned in 'energy', we are moving towards (I believe) a new era of self-reliance and responsibility for providing our own basics of life - food, water, energy etc.
But with this, especially in the case of food, comes the responsibility of sharing and looking out for others who might fall through the cracks - the elderly, the frail etc. This is something that garden groups and permaculture people have been doing for years anyway but it wasn't until I did my PDC (permaculture design certificate) last year, that I realised how strong the community aspect of it is. Find local food-growing resources for our Coast community in the Links and Resources list (below right).
See a Permablitz in action below and find out more about local ones here.
Food & Habitat for Wildlife
I used to have a motto that if I couldn't eat it I didn't plant it, but I've changed that a bit over the years, because one day I realised that life was very plain without flowers, and also I was forgetting to plant specifically for our furry and feathered friends. Noosa's Native Plants (link below-right) is a great resource for anyone wanting to plant wildlife-supporting gardens in our part of the world.
Water Efficient Gardening
Keep tabs on current water conservation targets etc here
Water efficient irrigation guidelines and fact sheets here
Also see my Water Use and Tank Calculator Guide (bottom of Water page)
I used to have a motto that if I couldn't eat it I didn't plant it, but I've changed that a bit over the years, because one day I realised that life was very plain without flowers, and also I was forgetting to plant specifically for our furry and feathered friends. Noosa's Native Plants (link below-right) is a great resource for anyone wanting to plant wildlife-supporting gardens in our part of the world.
Water Efficient Gardening
Keep tabs on current water conservation targets etc here
Water efficient irrigation guidelines and fact sheets here
Also see my Water Use and Tank Calculator Guide (bottom of Water page)
The Earth needs our help. Tenderness and a loving attitude give it strength. The Earth may be large, but it is most sensitive. And it feels the tender caress of even a single human hand. Oh how it feels and anticipates this touch!' (Ringing Cedars - Book 2)
My little mate Keith. How could anyone look at that smiley face and then spray chemicals around his home?
CURRENT MOON
IN THIS SECTION
1. Food Security
1.1 Peak Oil and Climate Change
1.2 Pantry Makeover
2. Food To Share
Permaculture & Community
3. Food & Habitat for Wildlife
4. Water-efficient Gardening
Links & Resources
1. Food Security
1.1 Peak Oil and Climate Change
1.2 Pantry Makeover
2. Food To Share
Permaculture & Community
3. Food & Habitat for Wildlife
4. Water-efficient Gardening
Links & Resources
What the World Eats: Click image for Peter Menzel's amazing look at the family dinner table
| Food List-sample.pdf |
| Food List_blank.pdf |
links & resources
Cooran's COMMUNITY of GARDENS
Identifying our Sunshine Coast native plants
Sonya Wallace's great permaculture blog
Popular Youtube diary on food gardening (Vic)
Green Harvest: local organic garden supplies
Seed Savers Network in Australia
Kitchen Garden Planting Calendar by climate (Aust)
Backyard biodynamics & moon planting
Cooran's COMMUNITY of GARDENS
Identifying our Sunshine Coast native plants
Sonya Wallace's great permaculture blog
Popular Youtube diary on food gardening (Vic)
Green Harvest: local organic garden supplies
Seed Savers Network in Australia
Kitchen Garden Planting Calendar by climate (Aust)
Backyard biodynamics & moon planting
